CHESTER, Pa. — While Fernando Aristeguieta was away with the Venezuelan national team, the Union managed to string together two straight unlikely wins.
But that didn’t mean that Aristeguieta wasn’t missed.
And now that the striker is back from his stint in Venezuela after failing to make his home country’s final roster for next month’s Copa America (a big international tournament for South American teams), he’s ready to return to the starting lineup and help the Union continue their winning streak.
“He’s as fit as I’ve ever seen him, coming off a tough camp with Venezuela,” Union head coach Jim Curtin said. “And he’s pretty seamlessly back into the group. The guys like him a lot. Anybody that works as hard as he does gets the guy’s respect and appreciation. So I’m excited to get him back, and to have a full week of training him is a positive.”
Aristeguieta got off to a great start with the Union, scoring three goals through the first five games after coming over on loan from France’s FC Nantes. But battered by the physical style of MLS, he then began to miss time because of injuries to his hand and quad.
Interestingly enough, all three of the Union’s wins this season have come without Aristeguieta in the lineup. But now that he’s fully healthy and back from Venezuela, Curtin believes he will finally get settled and lead Philly to some victories, perhaps starting with Saturday’s tilt with D.C. United at RFK Stadium (7 p.m., The Comcast Network).
The Union coach also thinks he has an extra layer of motivation after failing to make Venezuela’s Copa America roster.
“He hasn’t trained a lot at all with different things: national team, injuries, moving to a new country, and a lot of other little variables that have come up,” Curtin said. “There hasn’t been a lot of cohesion in that regard. But he’s a guy that I believe in. I know that he can be a double-digit goalscorer in our league, and I’m anxious to get him a run of games now and have him put the ball in the net, which is what he wants to do for us.”
Sylvestre on the move
It wouldn’t be a week of Union news without an update on the goalkeeping merry-go-round, right?
After earning shutouts in back-to-back games, on-loan goalkeeper Brian Sylvestre was temporarily called back to the NASL’s Carolina Railhawks for Wednesday’s U.S. Open Cup game because Carolina’s starting goalie got hurt.
Sylvestre played well in the match but the Railhawks were bounced from the tournament with a 1-0 loss to the Charlotte Independence. From there, the plan was for him to then return to the Union, for who he’ll likely start Saturday’s game vs. D.C.
“Technically, he still is their player so they have a right to call him back,” Curtin said. “It’s kind of like a midweek game, where hopefully he’ll stay game sharp and we’ll get him back for the weekend.”
Since first getting loaned from Carolina to the Union earlier this month, Sylvestre has really helped stabilize a position in turmoil following Rais Mbolhi’s banishment and injuries to Andre Blake and John McCarthy. And it appears likely he’ll continue to be the team’s starter in league play.
But because he played for Carolina in the Open Cup, he can’t play for the Union in the same tournament, meaning the Union will have to go with McCarthy for their June 16 Open Cup game against the Rochester Rhinos (who advanced in the tourney by knocking off the Harrisburg City Islanders on Wednesday).
But that still means that the Union will need to find another goalie to back him up while Blake recovers from his serious knee injury. And there also remains the lingering question about what happens when Sylvestre’s loan expires in the middle of July.
“I’m confident in Johnny to do the job and go on a run for us like we did last year,” Curtin said. “But obviously you need someone to sit on your bench and we’re starting to explore that option. We’re always looking for a solution and I think that Brian’s done a very good job, so we’ll explore what that means between us and Carolina with maybe a purchase down the road.”
Carroll back in the starting lineup
Through the first 11 games of the season, Brian Carroll only made three appearances. This wasn't especially surprising as it’s no secret that the 33-year-old midfielder is nearing the end of his career.
But with the Union missing some key pieces, Carroll played every minute of the last two games, helping the team to two straight shutout victories with solid performances as the team’s lone defensive midfielder.
And it looks like he’ll make his third straight start — against his former team — as Maurice Edu seems poised to play center back with Carroll keeping his spot in the midfield.
“I’ve just been trying to stay positive and continue to work hard, so that whenever my name is called, I was able to help the team,” Carroll said. “I just wanted to make an impression, so hopefully I can play next week. Everyone has played their role and played their part and I’ve just tried to do that when called upon. I’m glad to be part of the group that’s gotten two straight wins.”